There is a ten race meeting at Turffontein Inside on Saturday and there look to be some fair opportunities for punters, although this course can occasionally throw some upset results.

In the first race over 1450m Phinda Mzala was doing his best work late over 1160m last time and will relish this step up in trip so should go close. Magic Blaze was rushed up handy after a slow start over 1000m on debut before fading, but he looks the part and although by Var he is out of Grade 2 Gold Bowl winner Magic Smoke so should stay this trip. 

In the second race over 1450m Powder Puff has run decent races over sprints and should relish the step up in trip on pedigree. Mynage is an interesting first-timer being by Pomodoro out of the fair three-time winning Mullins Bay mare Tinchy Stryder.

In the first leg of the PA Wylie Wench is by the decent sire Wylie Hall and caught the eye on debut over the too sharp 1200m. She can go close here over a step up in trip she will appreciate if able to overcome a wide draw. Pucker Up and Flower Season can also be included in the PA from better draws.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1200m Mount Everest makes most appeal as he is improving and now over an ideal trip and from a plum draw gets the blinkers on. Doublethink has done well in all his runs except for two in which he wore blinkers, but he has a tough draw. The Pink Panther is also widely drawn but he showed promise early in his career and there were signs of a form return last time. 

In the second leg of the Pick 6 over 1600m Tyrus Express went close when running on over 1800m last time and although this might be a touch sharp he has a plum draw and should be involved. Spooky and Untamed Tiger should also be included.

In the sixth race over 1200m Oden returns to his best trip of 1200m over which he is unbeaten in three outings. He clearly did not quite stay 1400m last time and should go close here, although his wide draw makes it tough. Scoop might find this a touch sharp but he has ability and a plum draw, so will be a threat. 

In the seventh over 1200m Riverstown could outclass them and although this trip is a touch sharp he gets the blinkers on from a good draw. Spiritofthegroove will also find it a bit sharp but will be finishing strongly. 

In the eighth over 1000m La Bella Mia is particularly good around the turn, as she proved when winning the Grade 2 Post Merchants over this trip at Greyville. She is the joint best in at the weights and is well drawn. Rebel’s Champ is in fine form but does have a tricky draw to overcome. Basadi Faith will do well from pole position if benefiting from her last run and as she always had scope she can now return to her top class early form.

In the ninth race over 1800m Therevada has his peak run over an ideal distance and has a fair draw. Marshall Foch is in fine form and although the step up in trip is a touch concerning he has a good draw and Kennedy knows how to relax them. Last Of The Legend has ability and is off a competitive mark over a suitable trip. Zeal And Zest is course and distance suited. Hellofaride has shown promise before and has a fair draw over a suitable trip in his second run as a gelding.

In the last race over 1450m Full Mast is the one to beat dropping back to an ideal trip with Marco van Rensburg staying aboard.    

By David Thiselton

Strathdon can come out on top in the new-look Kenilworth Cup at the Cape Town course tomorrow.

The Justin Snaith runner is at six the oldest horse in the race but that is no disadvantage in events over as far as this two miles – and his record is a good one despite having found it hard to win at one stage in his career. His success in the Woolavington in November was his first for almost two years but, even so, he has won seven of his 29 starts.

Richard Fourie’s mount was yesterday morning an easy-to-back 22-10 joint favourite with O’Noth who finished over half a length in front of him when second to Snapscan in the New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers. But M.J. Byleveld’s mount is now 2kg worse off and that is the equivalent of four lengths over this trip.

However it’s not as straightforward as that. The first five finished in a heap in the Met day race and they were covered by less than a length. This casts serious doubts about the value of the form.

The Kenilworth Cup used to be a conditions race run in November but last season it was switched to its present February date and turned into a handicap. This has gone against Tap O’Noth who faces a massive task under 62kg but he has a touch of class (remember, he won the Cape Guineas) and he stays remarkably well for a horse who was high class over a mile.

The lurker in the pack is Dynasty’s Blossom. Despite being ridden by Ryan Moore, she found all sorts of trouble in the Western Cape Stayers and was continually held up for a clear run in the straight. Add to that the fact she pulled hard in the early and middle stages of the race and it is truly remarkable that she managed to finish as close as she did – less than three and a half lengths behind the winner.

Corne Orffer, who rode her when she was a close second in last year’s New Turf Carriers, will ensure a much clearer run. She finished a length and a quarter in front of Strathdon that day and probably rates his main danger.   She has already been backed from 9-2 to 7-2.

Cedar Man (12-1) is the only other handicapped level with the top three but, as he has been off since the WSB East Cape Derby last May, he surely cannot win.

Swift Surprise is the Snaith second string. He lost ground at the start – as well as a hind shoe -in the Met day race. He might just run into a place although, astonishingly, most of the early money has been for him and he has been slashed from 9-1 to 4-1. The remaining three are too much under sufferance to warrant consideration by the serious punter.

By Michael Clower

Mount Anderson gave hope for local participants in South Africa’s Champion Season Classics and Guru’s Pride could be added to that list after tonight’s meeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Gavin van Zyl’s gelding lines up in the Soccer Any 15 Handicap on the poly and although he steps up in class, he does appear to have a touch of class himself.

“He’s a very, very nice horse,” confirmed Van Zyl after his recent win. “The owners can look forward to some fun.”

“He came up on us a bit when he won over 1000m. I think the Natal (KZN) Guineas will be the ideal race for him.”

“I rode work on him on Monday and thought ‘wow this is a nice horse.’ I was very confident going into this race,” according to stand-in pilot Serino Moodley who was deputising for stable rider Warren Kennedy that day.

Guru’s Pride put to bed a fairly smart field in that race and looks capable of taking the step up in spite of the presence of the more experienced and exposed older runners Caliente, Gimme Peace and Q The Music.

If he can’t, then the swan may just be an ordinary goose.

An indication of Guru’s Pride’s chance could come early where African Sunrise, second when the two met, lines up in a Novice Plate, second race on the card.

However, Wendy Whitehead’s gelding was clearly second best behind Guru’s Pride but prior to that hacked up in his maiden. A win for African Sunrise will add plenty of gloss to Guru’s Pride’s prospects but a better proposition could come in the form of Nathan Kotzen’s runner, Arizona Silk.

He has been close-up in useful older company and a repeat of his narrow defeat to Stream Ahead three runs back will put him in with a strong chance.

The filly Electric Surge and the consistent Lundy’s Lad are others to consider.

Lowly fillies and mare’s handicaps are seldom races to plunge on and the Track & Ball Gaming Handicap poses similar problems and is not a race to cut down on expenses. But the two who could fight it out are Satin Slipper and Ms Rosa Parks. The two met last time out with Mr Rosa Parks finishing two lengths ahead of tonight’s rival who jumped from the extreme outside gate. Satin Slipper is also 2kg better off and drawn inside of Ms Rosa Parks which should bring them a lot closer together.

Brave Lass looks capable of getting off the mark in the fifth, a modest maiden field. Lightly raced, she has come into her own recently and the trip holds no fears. Duchess Of Malfi, having her first run in KZN and also making her poly debut, started favourite for Glen Kotzen but a wide draw and an unfamiliar surface may have been her undoing. Anton Marcus has picked up the ride and replaces Warren Kennedy who has switched to Brave Lass which could prove a subtle pointer. Of the balance, Sacred Blues was a little disappointing last run after a much improved previous sprint but she jumps in trip and is one to watch.

By Andrew Harrison

Halfway To Heaven’s feat of producing three Grade 1 winners with her first three foals might be a world record according to Cape Town-based racing guru Charles Faull and she needs just one more Grade 1 winner to become the most prolific Grade 1-producing mare in South Africa history.

She is owned by the current champion breeders, Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein Studs, and her three runners to date are Rainbow Bridge (won the Grade 1 Sun Met and Grade 1 Champions Cup), Hawwaam (Grade 1 SA Classic, Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge, Grade 1 Daily News 2000) and Golden Ducat (Grade 1 ARC Commemorative Cape Derby). 

Faull’s Action Racing Online website named seven other South African mares who have produced three Grade 1 winners each since 1940, they being: AVE MARIA (stakes winner) (Israfeel –SA Oaks, Jelal Shah-SA Guineas, Kerason- Durban July); FIRST LISA (Stakes winner) (Divine Fashion-Garden Province, Counter Action-Champions Cup, Perfect Order-Paddock Stakes); JULIE ANDREWS (Gr1 winner) (Principal Boy –Durban July, Col Pickering-Hawaii Stakes, Grease Paint- SA Oaks); LOYAL LINDA (placed) (Gold Flier- Smirnoff, Successful Bidder- Gold Challenge, Trust Antonia- Allan Robertson); MARITIME (3 wins)  (Top Gallant- SA Guineas and Cape Derby, Sea Cottage-seven Gr1 wins. Naval Escort- Durban July);  REACTION (Stakes winner) (Nervous Tension- Cape Guineas, Hifrac-SA Derby, Response-Cape Guineas); TECLA FIELDS (winner) Circle Of Life-Garden Province, African Lion- Champions Cup, Zebra Crossing- Met).

Maritime was probably the most celebrated of the above seven, having produced the immortal Sea Cottage as well as another Durban July winner and a Durban July runner up.

One mare who can be considered unlucky to miss out was Trade Enquiry, who stood at Bruce le Roux’s Spring Valley Stud in the KZN Midlands. Her first of five foals was Grade 1 Woolavington winner Count The Money, her second foal was Grade 1 Daily News 2000 and Champions Cup winner Buy And Sell and her fourth foal was the SA Oaks winner Bedloe’s Island. However, the SA Oaks, which has periodically enjoyed Grade 1 status, was a Grade 2 at the time. 

Two famous names who are missing from the above list are Drohsky and Ethane.

1929-born Drohsky, imported from Great Britain, produced nine winners from eleven foals, including Lenin, who was widely considered the greatest racehorse South Africa had seen before the appearance of Colorado King and Sea Cottage in the 1960s. Drohsky was revered as a foundation mare of the Birch Brothers, who were SA Champion breeders more than 40 times. She is the third dam of Sea Cottage and appears in the pedigree of many Birch Brother greats.

Ethane produced the greats William Penn and Hawaii and also left a lasting influence, with an example being twice Equus Horse Of The Year Legal Eagle, who has her as his fifth dam.    

Halfway To Heaven has a full-brother and full-sister to Hawwaam (Silvano) on the ground as well as a Querari foal, so she should go on to smash more records. 

By David Thiselton

Strathdon, beaten less than a length when fifth in the New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers on Sun Met day, has been installed 16-10 favourite for the Kenilworth Cup at Cape Town’s Leap Year meeting on Saturday.

Tap O’Noth, a neck second in that race, finished over half a length in front of The Justin Snaith six-year-old that day, but Vaughan Marshall’s hope now has to concede 2kg and is second favourite at 18-10.

Dynasty’s Blossom was three lengths behind Tap O’Noth when ridden by Ryan Moore on that occasion and she reopposes on the same terms. Corne Orffer rides the mare for the first time in public and she is third favourite at 9-2.

Snaith, by his own admission expecting a “monster day,” has three favourites and three second favourites from his 14 runners.

By Michael Clower

The richest race in history, the US $20 million Saudi Cup, will be screened live on Tellytrack at 12 noon on Saturday 29 February.

It will be run on a dirt surface over 1800m at King Abdulaziz Racetrack.  

The race has attracted a star studded field from around the globe, including Maximum Security, whose only two losses in nine races were in a preparation outing and when controversially disqualified in the Kentucky Derby. This Jason Servis-trained colt is by the Street Cry sire New Year’s Day and was the meritorious winner of the Derby, having crossed the line well clear. He will be hard to beat, especially as the surface is predicted to favour front-runners. However, he will have to handle the new environment and also the absence of standard USA medication lasix and bute, which is not allowed in this race.  

Top America dirt horses McKinzie and Mucho Gusto could be the chief threats.

They are both trained by Bob Baffert, who has won the Dubai World Cup before and is more used to shipping and running horses internationally than is Servis. 

McKinzie is reportedly in the best form of his career.

Mucho Gusto was the winner of the recent Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park.

Aiden O’Brien runs the mare Magic Wand, who was second in the Pegasus World Cup Turf invitational last time out, but her pedigree suggests she might not be suited to dirt. 

Benbatl is an interesting contender from Britain as he has won three Group 1s, all on different continents, and is currently in good dirt form in Dubai.

Frankie Dettori rides Gronkowski, second to Justify in the 2018 Belmont Stakes, but he was well beaten by Benbatl last time out in Dubai.

Chrysoberyl and Gold Dream finished first and second respectively in Japan’s Champions Cup.

The remaining two are both from America, Midnight Bisou, who was second in the Breeders Cup Distaff, and two-time Group 1 winner Tacitus, who comes off a disappointing third in the Group 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup.

By David Thiselton

Winning your first horse race, be it apprentice jockey or trainer, is a thrill never forgotten. As an owner it is even more special as it can be a long time between drinks.

The horse winning in the first-time owner’s colours gives even more of a kick and Wayne Maybery could hardly wipe the smile off his chops after Stella Act won the first at Hollywoodbets Scottsville yesterday.

Apprentice Jabu Jacobs steered the filly home for trainer Glen Kotzen, Maybery and partners and giving Jacobs the first of his three winners.

Summerhill-bred Stella Act was the second winner for freshman sire Act Of War and was never in doubt from the jump as Jacobs let her roll chased home by favourite Nirvana Girl and Ziva De Grace.

Jacobs made it a quick double getting Matchless Captain home in the second for Brett Crawford, favourite Candy Man arriving on the scene too late to trouble the winner.

Brunilda was an armchair ride for Anton Marcus as the Garth Puller-trained filly put six lengths over the opposition in the third.

Behind every horse that steps onto the track there is a story.

Most are mundane but there is always a story.

Keep On Dancing boasts a pedigree, that with a win or two behind her name will make her a sought-after broodmare, but she nearly did not make it to the track.

“She degloved (badly skinned) a leg that she had to be rested for six months,” revealed Wendy Whitehead. “But Jane Thomas said we should send her to Summerveld and give her a try.”

“She was a box walker, or should I say she ran in the box.

“So, I built her a lean-too and she lives outside.

“She only comes in when it’s raining – a really a big storm.”

Having only her third start, Stuart Randolph played cat-and-mouse.

He let To The Max and Empress Ella pass him in the straight, but when he asked for an effort, Keep On Dancing took to the floor like the winner of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.

Jet Lignite finally proved brave enough to win a race as Tristan Godden coaxed him home.  “This horse has so much talent but he’s his own worst enemy,” confided Alyson Wright.

“He’s not a brave horse, he’s always got to have his friend with him, Kotchka, the lead pony.”

“They went so slow he should have led but we wanted him to settle.

“When he gets to the other horse you saw that he just wants to stay there.”

Wright and stable rider Tristan Godden were back for a further welcome into the winner’s circle with Deposition denying Jacobs and Puller their fourth winner of the afternoon.

Godden, talented enough to be selected to attend the British Racing School apprentice programme in his formative years has had a spell in the doldrums but has come good with valuable support from Wright and Paul Lafferty, was wary of stable companion and favourite Sea Sponge.

Apprentice Khanya Sakayi, after a solid start to his career, has been short of confidence and winners in recent months, but a winner does wonders for confidence as he picked up a chance ride in the last for Tony Rivalland and obliged on Clara for one of racing stalwart owners, Mary Liley.

By Andrew Harrison

Punters should get off to a good start at tomorrow’s Vaal meeting, which two races beyond a mile are around the turn and the rest are down the straight.

Weiho Marwing sends out Adorable Alley in the first, a Workrider’s Maiden over 2000m, and she will be ridden by the top workrider Sam Mosia. She is an impressive specimen by Flower Alley, a stamina influence, and was only caught late last time when stepped up to this trip by a promising sort in Smoking Hot. She was also beaten by Super Duper but was only 0,80 lengths off the winner. It was only her third career start and she has plenty of scope for further improvement. She jumped from draw 14 out of 14 last time so was probably forced to lead, but from draw seven out of 16 this time she can be ridden a touch more conservatively. Ever Fair has some fair form but was beaten nearly seven lengths by Adorable Alley last time. Miss Cap Mala ran on for a one length third over this trip last time and beat Ever Fair by 1,75 lengths, but she had a plum draw that time and now has to negotiate a tricky draw, as does Ever Fair.

In the second race over 1200m Candice Dawson and Warren Kennedy could continue their good form together with Little Rain. This Captain Al filly has caught the eye from day one but has bumped some decent sorts. This will be the least inspiring field she has faced and she should get off the mark over an ideal trip. St. Joseph’s Lily nearly caused a 20/1 shock last time and it is interesting to note that in early December she beat Little Rain by five lengths over this course and distance. It is thus going to be an interesting clash but Little Rain is given the nod as that defeat was her second run after a six month layoff and her performances have improved significantly since then. Birdwatcher made a fair debut over this trip and could earn with expected improvement.

In the third race over 1400m Bravo One went close in his penultimate start over this course and distance and Nooresh Juglall is on board again. He should be enough to get punters through the PA. Akwaan has been expensive to follow, failing three times as favourite in four starts. He hasn’t raced since November last year but the rest and gelding should have helped. He gets blinkers on for the first time. Eppagilia has 3,2 lengths to find on Bravo One from their last meeting over course and distance but could earn in this field.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Crank It Up is interesting stepped down from 2000m to 1400m. He went close over 2000m at Greyville but has also earned over as short as 1000m, so he should enjoy this trip. Curious has some fair form over this trip and Khumalo sticks with him. Opening Gambit comes off a fair second over 1600m on Saturday but he was beaten 2,5 lengths by Curious when they last met over this course and distance, which was in soft ground. Trend Master should go close if Bravo One wins the previous race as he was just half-a-length behind him over this course and distance in soft ground in early January. Bassam looks capable of improving and should relish the step up in trip.

In the first leg of the jackpot Curvation is capable of a strong finish and got there just too late over this 1600m trip this time after being dropped out from a wide draw. Going down the straight will make her task easier. The Flower Alley filly Fire Flower is interesting after making a decent debut over 1200m as she should relish the step up to a mile. Rock You also has decent form and should go close despite not having raced for 86 days. 

In the sixth over 2400m Before Noon just failed in his penultimate start when flying up over this trip after being dropped out from a wide draw.  The horse who beat him, Imperial Ruby, has come out and won since. Gold Griffin was well beaten by Imperial Ruby in a race won by Out Of Your League but last time out he beat Out Of Your League. Warren Kennedy stays aboard and he carries just 52kg. Odd Rob is always a must include in staying events as he has class on his day. Pilgrim’s Progress and Fife are the only two females in the race and are both well weighted. However, the former is out of form. The latter can be included. Major Return, Palace Green and Mr Greenlight are worth considering too.

The seventh over 1400m looks to be a match race between Rock The Globe, who finished third in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Stakes last season, and the up and the progressive filly Isle De France. The former gets the vote but both can be included in the Pick 6.

In the next race the enigmatic Perfact is doing well with blinkers on and might well relish the slight step down in trip as she has been racing strongly over 1600m and placing. The enigmatic Lazarus Tree could have it go his way over a course and distance he has won over. Bockscar is unreliable but can turn it on his day and can’t be ignored. Liberado, Windy Flight and Pop Icon should also be considered.

In the last race over 1400m Encryption has been catching the eye over 1200m and should enjoy the step up in trip. Westwing Belter has shown signs of class and has her easiest task for some time over a suitable trip. 

By David Thiselton

To take a bet go to www.tabgold.co.za or www.trackandball.co.za

Bernard Fayd’Herbe has been given a compliment by the handicappers who, in a press release explaining their adjustments to the merit ratings following last Saturday’s big Kenilworth meeting, said that they raised Selangor Jet Master winner Crown Towers from 103 to 109.

They added: “Crown Towers actually achieved a mark of 112 but we felt that he may well be flattered by this mark and we attributed the performance to an enterprising ride from Fayd’Herbe.”

Crown Towers’ trainer Justin Snaith is expecting what he calls “a monster day” on Saturday when he runs Strathdon (Richard Fourie) and Swift Surprise (Anthony Andrews) in the Kenilworth Cup.

He made this prediction after springing a 20-1 shock with August Leaves (Craig Zackey) in the first at Kenilworth yesterday and apparently the gelding came close to adding his name to those recent ‘sold without engagement’ scratchings.

Snaith said: “We had a few offers from Mauritius and it was 50:50 whether to sell but owner Michael de Broglio said it was not that lucrative a price and we had waited this long for the horse to go over ground.”

Devin Ashby was out of luck on his only ride yesterday but he has come in for praise from Eric Sands for his handling of Cape Derby winner Golden Ducat in his work at home. “Devin is a horseman who is much under-rated,” said Eric Sands. “He and Golden Ducat’s groom Lucky are probably the only ones to have sat on the horse and he has done a great job with him as well as with the reschooling of Rainbow Bridge.”

Ashby rides Lady Of The Lake for Sands I the 1 400m handicap on Saturday.

By Michael Clower

It’s beginning to look as if Halfway To Heaven’s achievement in producing a Group 1 winner – or equivalent big race winner in the days before the Pattern was introduced – from each of her first three foals could be a world record.

Charles Faull, widely regarded as the most knowledgeable pedigree expert in the country, says the Rainbow Bridge, Hawwaam, Golden Ducat feat is definitely a first in South Africa and so far his researches have not shown up anything to match it around the world.

Toussaud had four Group 1 winners from her first six foals and Hasili (dam of Dansili) had three from her first four and five in all, but Faull has yet to find one that has had three from her first three offspring.

It is perhaps appropriate that Halfway To Heaven’s three winners were bred by Mary Slack and her daughter Jessica Jell because they are as well bred as any of their horses. They are the daughter and granddaughter of Harry and Bridget Oppenheimer who bred and raced a string of July winners as well as the legendary Horse Chestnut.

For good measure Golden Ducat races in the famous black, scarlet cap colours that were carried to victory by Royal Palace in the Epsom Derby and by Maori Venture in the Grand National. They were bequeathed to Mrs Slack by Jim Joel, a De Beers director who had engraved on his tombstone this quote from the Psalms: ‘Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord!”

By Michael Clower